In a final goodbye, revered New York Times food critic Sam Sifton offered his final advice to readers before his retirement by revealing his favorite restaurant in his final review – Thomas Keller’s Per Se.

Sifton’s pick for top restaurant surprised many readers as the acclaimed chef’s Columbus Circle establishment had not been addressed since Sifton’s predecessor gave it a mere four stars during his tenure. Sifton opened his final post with, “So this is the best restaurant in New York City” and went on to refer to his experience as the “last meal.”

And how was it? Sifton wrote, “Its synthesis of culinary art and exquisite service is now complete.”

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